諺語 · a single proverb
知識就是力量
Simplified: 知识就是力量
What does 知識就是力量 (zhī shí jiù shì lì liáng) mean?
知識就是力量 (zhī shí jiù shì lì liáng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "knowledge is power." In use it means: What you know determines what you can do; information is the most reliable form of strength. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Snake.
Literally: "knowledge is power."
The reading
The strong person lifts the stone. The knowledgeable person finds the lever. Both move the stone. One goes home with a sore back and the other goes home with energy left for tomorrow. Power built on knowledge outlasts power built on muscle because knowledge does not get tired, does not age out, and does not need to be replaced every generation.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Adapted from Bacon; naturalized in Chinese via Yan Fu and May Fourth thinkers
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Snake, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 知識就是力量 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 知識就是力量 (zhī shí jiù shì lì liáng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Adapted from Bacon; naturalized in Chinese via Yan Fu and May Fourth thinkers. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 知識就是力量?
In Mandarin it is zhī shí jiù shì lì liáng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 知識就是力量 aloud in Mandarin.